Forensic identification

ABSTRACT

The invention provides allelic ladder mixtures and individual alleles suitable for use in such mixtures. The allelic ladder mixtures give improved identification and distinguishing capabilities, particularly suitable in forensic investigations.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/821,259, filed Jun. 21, 2007, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/244,331, filed Oct. 4, 2005, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/910,183, filed Jul.20, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,087,380, issued Aug. 8, 2006, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/706,525, filed Nov.3, 2000 (abandoned), which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/498,567, filed Feb. 4, 2000 (abandoned), which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/107,029, filed Jun.29, 1998 (abandoned), which claims priority to United KingdomApplication No. 9713597.4, filed Jun. 28, 1997, which for purposes ofdisclosure are incorporated herein by specific reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

The present invention is concerned with improvements in and relating toforensic identification, particularly where based on DNA profiling.

2. The Relevant Technology

DNA profiling offers a versatile identification technique for a widevariety of applications including, anthropological, paternity and otherforensic environments. The use of such profiling is significant indetermining links, or their absence, between samples. Such samples mightinclude those taken from known individuals and/or those taken from thescene of or linked to a crime.

DNA profiling based on the use of short tandem repeats (STR) or microsatellite loci is used in such applications. STR's are a class ofpolymorphic markers which consist of simple tandomly repeated sequencesof between 1 and 6 base pairs in length. STR's in the non-coding part ofthe genome are generally considered.

In the human genome STR's occur every 6 to 10 kilo bases along the DNA.The length, however, varies greatly between individuals due to mutationand provides identifying characteristics as a result.

A variety of DNA profiling systems exist, including single locusanalysis and multiple locus analysis where a number of STR loci aresimultaneously amplified.

In analysing the results from an unknown sample it is generallyconsidered against a ladder marker consisting of alleles derived fromactual samples. The allelic ladder provides a reference point and allowscorrespondence of alleles to be identified clearly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides new alleles and new ladders incorporatingthem for a variety of loci. The present invention offers an improvedrange and coverage of markers as a result. The ladders include a numberof rare alleles offering improved identification of the alleles in anunknown sample.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide an allelicladder mixture comprising one or more of the following allelic ladders:

i) an allelic ladder for locus HUMVWFA31/A comprising one or more ofalleles comprising or consisting of sequences:

-   -   TCTA TCTG TCTA (TCTG)₄ (TCTA)₃ (SEQ ID NO: 1);    -   TCTA (TCTG)₄ (TCTA)₇ (SEQ ID NO: 2); or    -   (TCTA)₂ (TCTG)₄ (TCTA)₃ TCCA (TCTA)₃ (SEQ ID NO: 3) or at least        75% homologous thereto;

ii) an allelic ladder for locus HUMTHO1 comprising or consisting ofsequence: (TCAT)₄ CAT (TCAT)₇ TCGT TCAT (SEQ ID NO: 4); or at least 75%homologous thereto;

iii) an allelic ladder for locus D8S1179 comprising one or more ofalleles:

-   -   (TCTA)₈ (SEQ ID NO: 5);    -   (TCTA)₂ TCTG(TCTA)₁₆ (SEQ ID NO: 6) or at least 75% homologous        thereto;

iv) an allelic ladder for locus HUMFIBRA/FGA comprising one or more ofalleles comprising or consisting of the sequences:

-   -   (TTTC)₃ TTTT TTCT (CTTT)₅ T (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₂ (SEQ ID NO: 7);    -   (TTTC)₃ TTTT TTCT (CTTT)₁₃ CCTT (CTTT)₅ CTCC (TTCC)₂ (SEQ ID NO:        8);    -   (TTTC)₃ TTTT TTCT (CTTT)₁₆ CCTT (CTTT)₅ CTCC (TTCC)₂ (SEQ ID NO:        9);    -   (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₅ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID        NO: 10);    -   (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₆ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID        NO: 11);    -   (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₇ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID        NO: 12);    -   (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₈ (CTGT)₄ (CTTT)₁₃ (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC        (TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID NO: 13);    -   (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₈ (CTGT)₅ (CTTT)₁₃ (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC        (TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID NO: 14);    -   (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₁ (CTGT)₃ (CTTT)₁₄ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC        (TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID NO: 15);    -   (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₀ (CTGT)₅ (CTTT)₁₃ (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC        (TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID NO: 16);    -   (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₂ (CTGT)₅ (CTTT)₁₄ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC        (TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID NO: 17); or    -   (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₄ (CTGT)₃ (CTTT)₁₄ (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC        (TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID NO: 18); or at least 75% homologous thereto;

v) an allelic ladder for locus D21S11 comprising one or more of allelescomprising or consisting of sequences: (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA(TCTA)₃TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₆ TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 19);

-   -   (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₉ TCGTCT (SEQ        ID NO: 20);    -   (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₀ TCGTCT (SEQ        ID NO: 21);    -   (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₈        TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 22);    -   (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₉        TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 23);    -   (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₀        TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 24);    -   (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₁        TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 25);    -   (TCTA)₆ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₁        TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 26);    -   (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂        TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 27);    -   (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₁        TA TCTA TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 28);    -   (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₃ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂        TA TCTA TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 29);    -   (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₃        TA TCTA TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 30);    -   (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₄        TATCTA TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 31);    -   (TCTA)₁₀ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂        TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 32);    -   (TCTA)₁₁ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂        TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 33);    -   (TCTA)₁₁ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₃    -   (TCTA)₁₃ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂        TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 35); or at least 75% homologous thereto;

vi) an allelic ladder for locus D18S51 comprising an allele comprisingor consisting of sequence:

-   -   (AGAA)₈ (SEQ ID NO: 36); or at least 75% homologous thereto.

Preferably the mixture includes allelic ladders for a plurality of loci.It is particularly preferred that the mixture include allelic laddersfor at least four loci. Preferably the mixture includes allelic laddersfor a plurality of loci selected from HUMVWFA31/A, HUMTHO1, D8 S1179,HUMFIBRA/FGA, D21S11 and D18S51. Preferably the mixture includes allelicladders for at least four of these loci. In its most preferred form themixture includes allelic ladders for all of these loci.

Preferably the mixture includes an amelogenin sex test.

Preferably one or more of the allelic ladders in the mixture includes atleast 7 alleles and more preferably at least 12 alleles. Preferably aplurality, and particularly all, of the allelic ladders of the mixtureinclude at least 8 and more preferably at least 10 alleles.

Preferably one or more or all of the ladders, if present in the mixture,may be provided such that: the HUMVWFA31/A allelic ladder includes atleast 9, more preferably 11 and ideally 12 alleles; the HUMTHO1 allelicladder includes at least 7, more preferably 9 and ideally 10 alleles;the D8S1179 allelic ladder includes at least 9, more preferably 12 andideally 13 alleles; the HUMFIBRA/FGA allelic ladder includes at least18, more preferably 26 and ideally 28 alleles or is present asHUMFIBRA/FGA/LW and HUMFIBRA/FGA/HW with the HUMFIBRA/FGA/LW ladderincluding at least 16 more preferably 18 and ideally 20 alleles, theHUMFIBRA/FGA/HW ladder including at least 6, more preferably at least 7and ideally 8 alleles; the D21S11 allelic ladder includes at least 14,more preferably 16 and ideally 17 alleles; and the D18S51 ladderincludes at least 15, more preferably 19 and ideally 20 alleles.

Preferably one or more of the allelic ladders in the mixture comprisesat least 4 pairs of alleles 4 base pairs from each other. Morepreferably at least 10 pairs, and ideally at least 12 pairs of allelesare so provided. Preferably one or more or all the allelic ladders, ifpresent in the mixture, may be provided such that: the HUMVWFA31/Aallelic ladder includes at least 7, more preferably 10 and ideally 11pairs of alleles 4 base pairs from each other; the HUMTHO1 allelicladder includes at least 5, more preferably 6 and ideally 7 pairs ofalleles 4 base pairs from each other; the D8S1179 allelic ladderincludes at least 8, more preferably 11 and ideally 12 pairs of alleles4 base pairs from each other; the HUMFIBRA/FGA allelic ladder includesat least 17, more preferably 20 and ideally 23 pairs of alleles 4 basepairs from each other; the D21S11 allelic ladder includes at least 3 andideally 4 pairs of alleles 4 base pairs from each other; and the D18S51ladder includes at least 13, more preferably 18 and ideally 19 pairs ofalleles 4 base pairs from each other. The D21S11 allelic ladder may, ormay further include, at least 8, more preferably 11 and ideally 12 pairsof alleles 8 base pairs from each other.

Preferably the allele sequences have at least 85% homogeneity with thelisted sequences. More preferable levels of even 90% or at least 95% maybe provided. Ideally the exact sequences listed are included within thealleles. In their most preferred form the alleles consist of the listedsequences.

The alleles may further include flanking sequences, i.e., between theprimer and STR.

Preferably the HUMVWFA31/A ladder includes alleles ranging from 130,more preferably 126 and ideally 122 base pairs upwards and/or from 166base pairs downwards. Preferably the HUMTHO1 ladder includes allelesranging from 150 base pairs upwards and/or 189 base pairs downwards.Preferably the D8S1179 ladder includes alleles ranging from 157 basepairs upwards and/or 201, and more preferably 205 base pairs downwards.Preferably the HUMFIBRA/FGA ladder includes alleles ranging from 173base pairs upwards and/or 298, more preferably 302 and ideally 310 basepairs downwards. Preferably the D21S11 ladder includes alleles rangingfrom 203 base pairs upwards and/or 255 or more preferably 259 base pairsdownwards. Preferably the D18S51 ladder includes alleles ranging from270 or more preferably 266 base pairs upwards and/or 326 or 330 or 334or 338 or even 342 downwards.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide an allelicladder mixture comprising an allelic ladder for one or more of thefollowing loci, with lowest molecular weight allele and/or uppermostmolecular weight allele as follows:

Locus Low MW allele High MW allele a) HUMVWFA31/A 10 21 b) HUMTH01 413.3 c) D8S1179 7 19 d) HUMFIBRA/FGA 16.1 50.2 e) D21S11 53 81 f) D18S518 27

Preferably one or more of the loci ladders have both the upper and lowerlimits specified. Preferably all the loci ladders have the full rangeslisted.

Preferably the mixture includes allelic ladders for a plurality of loci.It is particularly preferred that the mixture include allelic laddersfor at least four loci. Preferably the mixture includes allelic laddersfor a plurality of loci selected from HUMVWFA31/A, HUMTHO1, D8S1179,HUMFIBRA/FGA, D21S11 and D18S51. Preferably the mixture includes allelicladders for at least four of these loci. In its most preferred form themixture includes allelic ladders for all of these loci.

The intervals of alleles in the ladders and/or number of alleles in theladders may be as specified in the first aspect of the invention. Thisaspect may include any of the other features specified elsewhere in theapplication.

The ladder mixtures of the first and/or second aspect of the inventionmay further include one or more of PARR buffer, primer(s), or Taqpolymerase.

According to a third aspect of the invention we provide a method ofanalysing one or more samples comprising:—

a) obtaining genomic DNA from the sample;

b) amplifying the DNA;

c) obtaining an indication of one or more of the constituent parts ofthe sample; and comparing the indications with an allelic ladder mixturecomprising one or more of the following allelic ladders:

i) an allelic ladder for locus HUMVWFA31/A comprising one or more ofalleles comprising or consisting of sequences:

TCTA TCTG TCTA (TCTG)₄ (TCTA)₃; (SEQ ID NO: 1) TCTA (TCTG)₄ (TCTA)₇;(SEQ ID NO: 2) or (TCTA)₂ (TCTG)₄ (TCTA)₃ TCCA  (SEQ ID NO: 3) (TCTA)₃

ii) an allelic ladder for locus HUMTHO1 comprising or consisting ofsequence:

(TCAT)₄ CAT (TCAT)₇ TCGT TCAT; (SEQ ID NO: 4)

iii) an allelic ladder for locus D8S1179 comprising one or more ofalleles comprising or consisting of sequences:

(TCTA)₈; (SEQ ID NO: 5) or (TCTA)₂ TCTG (TCTA)₁₆; (SEQ ID NO: 6)

iv) an allelic ladder for locus HUMFIBRA/FGA comprising one or more ofalleles comprising or consisting of the sequences:

(SEQ ID NO: 7) (TTTC)₃ TTTT TTCT (CTTT)₅ T (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₂;(SEQ ID NO: 8) (TTTC)₃ TTTT TTCT (CTTT)₁₃ CCTT (CTTT)₅ CTCC (TTCC)₂;(SEQ ID NO: 9) (TTTC)₃ TTTT TTCT (CTTT)₁₆ CCTT (CTTT)₅ CTCC (TTCC)₂;(SEQ ID NO: 10) (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₅ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄;(SEQ ID NO: 11) (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₆ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄;(SEQ ID NO: 12) (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₇ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄;(SEQ ID NO: 13) (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₈ (CTGT)₄ (CTTT)₁₃ (CTTC)₄(CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄; (SEQ ID NO: 14)(TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₈ (CTGT)₅ (CTTT)₁₃ (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄;(SEQ ID NO: 15) (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₁ (CTGT)₃ (CTTT)₁₄ (CTTC)₃(CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄; (SEQ ID NO: 16)(TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₀ (CTGT)₅ (CTTT)₁₃ (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄;(SEQ ID NO: 17) (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₂ (CTGT)₅ (CTTT)₁₄ (CTTC)₃(CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄; or (SEQ ID NO: 18)(TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₄ (CTGT)₃ (CTTT)₁₄ (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄;

v) an allelic ladder for locus D21S11 comprising one or more of allelescomprising or consisting of sequences:

(SEQ ID NO: 19) (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA(TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂TCCATA (TCTA)₆ TCGTCT; (SEQ ID NO: 20)(TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₉ TCGTCT;(SEQ ID NO: 21) (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA(TCTA)₁₀ TCGTCT; (SEQ ID NO: 22)(TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₈ TCGTCT;(SEQ ID NO: 23) (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂TCCATA (TCTA)₉ TCGTCT; (SEQ ID NO: 24)(TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₀ TCGTCT;(SEQ ID NO: 25) (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂TCCATA (TCTA)₁₁ TCGTCT; (SEQ ID NO: 26) (TCTA)₆ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₁ TCGTCT;(SEQ ID NO: 27) (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TCGTCT; (SEQ ID NO: 28)(TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂TCCATA (TCTA)₁₁ TA TCTA TCGTCT; (SEQ ID NO: 29)(TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TA TCTA TCGTCT; (SEQ ID NO: 30)(TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂TCCATA (TCTA)₁₃ TA TCTA TCGTCT; (SEQ ID NO: 31)(TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂TCCATA (TCTA)₁₄ TATCTA TCGTCT; (SEQ ID NO: 32)(TCTA)₁₀ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TCGTCT;(SEQ ID NO: 33) (TCTA)₁₁ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TCGTCT; (SEQ ID NO: 34)(TCTA)₁₁ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₃ TCGTCT;or (SEQ ID NO: 35) (TCTA)₁₃ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TCGTCT;

vi) an allelic ladder for locus D18S51 comprising an allele comprisingor consisting of sequence:

(AGAA)₈; (SEQ ID NO: 36)

including allelic ladders or alleles 75% homologous thereto.

The allelic ladder mixture may possess other features specified in thefirst or second aspects of the invention or elsewhere in thisapplication.

Preferably the DNA sample is one or more of a sample taken from thescene of a crime, a sample associated with the scene of a crime, asample obtained from a suspect, a sample obtained from a human underconsideration (for instance for paternity or maternity analysis) or areference sample. The sample may be in the form of blood, hair, skin orbodily fluid.

Preferably the sample is amplified using a polymerase chain reaction.Preferably primers for one or more of loci HUMVWFA31/A, HUMTHO1,D8S1179, HUMFIBRA/FGA, D21S11 or D18S51 are employed. The primers may bedye or otherwise labelled.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention we provide one or morealleles comprising or consisting of sequences:

-   -   TCTA TCTG TCTA (TCTG)₄ (TCTA)₃ (SEQ ID NO: 1);    -   TCTA (TCTG)₄ (TCTA)₇ (SEQ ID NO: 2);    -   (TCTA)₂ (TCTG)₄ (TCTA)₃ TCCA (TCTA)₃ (SEQ ID NO: 3);    -   (TCAT)₄ CAT (TCAT)₇ TCGT TCAT (SEQ ID NO: 4);    -   (TCTA)₈ (SEQ ID NO: 5);    -   (TCTA)₂ TCTG (TCTA)₁₆ (SEQ ID NO: 6);    -   (TTTC)₃ TTTT TTCT (CTTT)₅ T (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₂ (SEQ ID NO: 7);    -   (TTTC)₃ TTTT TTCT (CTTT)₁₃ CCTT (CTTT)₅ CTCC (TTCC)₂ (SEQ ID NO:        8);    -   (TTTC)₃ TTTT TTCT (CTTT)₁₆ CCTT (CTTT)₅ CTCC (TTCC)₂ (SEQ ID NO:        9);    -   (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₅ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID        NO: 10);    -   (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₆ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID        NO: 11);    -   (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₇ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID        NO: 12);    -   (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₈ (CTGT)₄ (CTTT)₁₃ (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC        (TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID NO: 13);    -   (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₈ (CTGT)₅ (CTTT)₁₃ (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC        (TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID NO: 14);    -   (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₁ (CTGT)₃ (CTTT)₁₄ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC        (TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID NO: 15);    -   (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₀ (CTGT)₅ (CTTT)₁₃ (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC        (TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID NO: 16);    -   (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₂ (CTGT)₅ (CTTT)₁₄ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC        (TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID NO: 17);    -   (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₄ (CTGT)₃ (CTTT)₁₄ (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC        (TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID NO: 18);    -   (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA(TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₆        TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 19);    -   (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₉ TCGTCT (SEQ        ID NO: 20);    -   (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₀ TCGTCT (SEQ        ID NO: 21);    -   (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₈        TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 22);    -   (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₉        TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 23);    -   (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₀        TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 24);    -   (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₁        TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 25);    -   (TCTA)₆ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₁        TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 26);    -   (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂        TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 27);    -   (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₁        TA TCTA TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 28);    -   (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂        TA TCTA TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 29);    -   (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₃        TA TCTA TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 30);    -   (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₄        TATCTA TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 31);    -   (TCTA)₁₀ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂        TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 32);    -   (TCTA)₁₁ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂        TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 33);    -   (TCTA)₁₁ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₃        TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 34);    -   (TCTA)₁₃ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂        TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 35); or    -   (AGAA)₈ (SEQ ID NO: 36); or at least 75% homologous thereto.

Preferably the alleles are provided purified from alleles other thanthose of HUMVWFA31/A, HUMTHO1, D8 S1179, HUMFIBRA/FGA, D21S11, D18S51 orAMG loci.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention we provide the use of anallelic ladder according to the first aspect of the invention and/or anallele according to the fourth aspect of the invention for comparisonwith a DNA analysis result.

The analysis may be a DNA profile of a sample. The profile may be basedon analysis of one or more loci, in particular including one or more ofHUMVWFA31/A, HUMTHO1, D8S1179, HUMFIBRA/FGA, D21S11, D18S51 or AMG. Thesample may be from the scene of a crime, associated with the scene of acrime or comprise a bodily fluid sample. The sample may be used tocompare two or more individuals, or samples arising therefrom, forinstance in paternity and/or maternity analysis.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention we provide a method ofproducing an allelic ladder or mixture thereof by subjecting the laddersof the first, second or fourth aspects of the invention to PCR.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, and withreference to the accompanying figure in which:

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b illustrates the locus, allele designation and size foran embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 a shows an electrophoretogram of the allelic ladder forAmelogenin (AMG);

FIG. 2 b shows an electrophoretogram of the allelic ladder forHUMVWFA31/A;

FIG. 2 c shows an electrophoretogram of the allelic ladder for HUMTHO1;

FIG. 2 d shows an electrophoretogram of the allelic ladder for D8S1179;

FIG. 2 e shows an electrophoretogram of the allelic ladder for HUMFIBRA,low and high molecular weights;

FIG. 2 f shows an electrophoretogram of the allelic ladder for D21S11;

FIG. 2 g shows an electrophoretogram of the allelic ladder for D18S51;

FIG. 3 a shows the sequence of selected alleles forming the HUMVWFA31/Aladder (SEQ ID NOS 1-2 and 39, respectively, in order of appearance);

FIG. 3 b shows the sequence of selected alleles forming the HUMTHO1ladder (SEQ ID NO: 4);

FIG. 3 c shows the sequence of selected alleles forming the D8S1179ladder (SEQ ID NOS 5-6, respectively, in order of appearance);

FIG. 3 d shows the sequence of selected alleles forming the HUMFIBRAladder (SEQ ID NOS 7-18, respectively, in order of appearance);

FIG. 3 e shows the sequence of selected alleles forming the D21S11ladder (SEQ ID NOS 19-35, respectively, in order of appearance); and

FIG. 3 f shows the sequence of selected alleles forming the D18S51ladder (SEQ ID NO: 36).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An allelic ladder mixture illustrative of the present invention isprovided for loci HUMTHO1, D21S11, D8S1179, HUMVWFA31/A, HUMFIBRA/FGAand amelogenin sex test. The loci nomenclature is standard,corresponding to that used in the GENEBANK database.

The ladder mixture includes a significant number of alleles for eachlocus so as to provide a base line for comparison across a wide range.The loci, allelic designation and base pair sizes for the mixture areshown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b. The nomenclature for the loci is discussedin Gill et al. 1996 Int. Journal Leg. Med. 109 14-22.

The allelic ladder mixture was presented in PARR buffer (containing Trisand 1.5 mM Mg ions at pH8.0) obtained from Cambio, primers obtained fromOswell and Taq polymerase from Perkin Elmer.

Electrophoretograms for the allelic ladders are shown in FIGS. 2 a to 2g with the allelic number designations shown.

FIGS. 3 a to 3 f show the sequences for the alleles identified in FIGS.2 a to 2 g.

The allelic ladder mixture discussed above was produced according to thefollowing techniques. Buccal swabs and/or bloodstains were used as thesample sources. The genomic DNA was extracted using the chelex proceduredescribed by Walsh et al. 1991 Bio. Techniques 1 91-98.

The recovered DNA was quantified by dot hybridisation using a higherprimate specific probe, as disclosed in Walsh et al. 1992 Nucleic AcidsRes. 20 5061-5065.

Each sample was then amplified according to the conditions set out belowin Table 1 with unlabelled oligonucleotide primers, the sequences forwhich are disclosed in Urquhart et al. 1995 Bio Techniques 18 116-121and Oldroyd et al. 1995 Electrophoresis 16 334-337.

TABLE 1 D18 95° C. for 60 seconds D21 94° C. for 30 seconds 60° C. for60 seconds 58° C. for 60 seconds 72° C. for 60 seconds 72° C. for 30seconds Method: 28 cycles + 72° C. Method: 26 cycles + 72° C. for 10minutes then hold at for 10 minutes then hold at 4° C. 4° C. D8 94° C.for 30 seconds TH01 94° C. for 45 seconds 60° C. for 60 seconds and 60°C. for 60 seconds 72° C. for 60 seconds VWA 72° C. for 60 secondsMethod: 30 cycles + 72° C. Method: 28 cycles + 72° C. for 10 minutesthen hold at for 10 minutes then hold at 4° C. 4° C. FGA 93° C. for 60seconds Amelo 93° C. for 30 seconds 60° C. for 60 seconds 58° C. for 75seconds 72° C. for 60 seconds 72° C. for 15 seconds Method: 30 cycles +72° C. Method: 30 cycles + 72° C. for 10 minutes then hold at for 10minutes then hold at 4° C. 4° C.

Individual alleles were then isolated and sequence analysis was carriedout according to the methods of Barber et al. 1996 Int. Journal Leg.Med. 108 180-185 and Barber and Parkin 1996 Int. Journal Leg. Med. 10962-65. Both DNA strands of each allele reported were sequenced and thesequences provided in FIGS. 3 a to 3 g are the consensus results forthis.

The illustrations of the alleles provided in FIGS. 3 a to 3 g follow thenomenclature recommended by the DNA commission of the InternationalSociety of Forensic Haemogenetics 1994 Int. Journal Leg. Med. 107159-160 where the complete number of tandem repeats observed aredesignated by the digit. The longhand version of these sequences isprovided at the end of the specific description.

To prepare the ladder cocktail amplification of the alleles isnecessary. This process was performed by amplifying the purified singlealleles described above using a labelled primer in each case. For thelocus HUMFIBRA/FGA the ladder was produced from two separate mixes,discussed in more detail below. The primers used are disclosed inUrquhart et al. 1995 Bio Techniques 18 116-121 and Oldroyd et al. 1995Electrophoresis 16 334-337 and were employed according to the conditionsset out above in Table 1.

The singleplexs produced in this way were analysed on an AppliedBiosystems 377 automated sequencer to confirm the sequences. Thesequences obtained from the profiling system are one base longer thanthose determined form the DNA sequencing technique initially discussedabove. This is due to the ability of DNA polymerase from Thermusaquaticus to catalyse a non-template mediated addition of adeoxyribonucleotide to the 3′ hydroxyl of PCR products. This isgenerally known as the “n+1” product and can be generated in preferenceto the “n” product. The results reported here, however, refer to the “n”product rather than the “n+1” product for which the labelled primer PCRconditions have been optimised to produce.

The products of the amplification process for each locus were thendiluted, mixed with one another and reanalysed to produce a singleladder for each loci having even peak heights. An initial level of 1000Arbitary Units, AU, was increased to 1000-5000 AU to give greater signalstrength and volume for the ladder.

The single ladders produced in this way were then mixed together to givethe cocktail discussed above. The proportions of each ladder used arecontrolled to give balanced peak areas. The cocktail was then validatedusing Applied Biosystems 373A and Applied Biosystems 377 automatedsequencers with Genescan and Genotyper software.

Allelic ladders according to the invention can be prepared by applyingPCR amplification techniques to a pre-existing sample of the allelicladder mixture. Alternatively the allelic ladders can be constructedfrom the sequence information provided herein.

The new ladders disclosed above significantly extends the range ofalleles which can be identified in any DNA profiling system.

The allelic ladder mixture is used as a control sample alongside samplesfrom known or unknown individuals which are then segregated according tosize in a gel. Alleles in the sample under test can be designated by theknown alleles in the control if they are within 0.5 bases of oneanother. Alleles falling outside this range are estimated based on theirposition relative to the ladder.

Using the standard nomenclature discussed above, the ladder range foreach locus, defined by the extreme low molecular weight and extreme highmolecular weight alleles are:

Locus Low MW allele High MW allele HUMVWFA31/A 10 21 HUMTH01 4 13.3D8S1179 7 19 HUMFIBRA/FGA 16.1 50.2 D21S11 53 81 D18S51 8 27

The allelic ladders also enable the identification of certain rare andhence highly discriminatory alleles in DNA profiling, thus increasingthe profiling systems power.

For the various locus certain alleles are of particular significance asfollows:

Locus HUMTHO1

The primers used for this locus were labelled with 6-FAM. Thepolymorphic region of this locus is based around a tetranucleotide motifrepeat, (TCAT)_(n), where n=4 to 13. Particular alleles provided by thepresent invention include 4, 9.3, 10 and 13.3. The 9.3 and 13.3 alleleswere found to have a deletion of a thiamine nucleotide at either thelast base of the 4th repeat unit or the first base of the 5th repeatunit. The 13.3 allele notably possesses a non-consensus tetranucleotide(TCGT) at the 13th repeat.

Locus D21S11

The primers for this locus were also labelled with 6-FAM. The allelerange extends from 53 to 81 and significantly includes alleles 53, 56,57, 79 and 81. The polymorphic region of the D21S11 alleles isrelatively complex in structure and is based around the tetranucleotideTCTR, where R is A or G (following the ambiguity codes of theNomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry), aswell as containing invariant hexa-, tri- and di-nucleotides. Both allele54 and allele 56 deviate from this general structure in that theypossess a deletion of a 14 base pair TA(TCTA)₃ (SEQ ID NO: 37) unitimmediately prior to the invariant TCA tetranucleotide.

Locus D18S51

Again primers with a 6-FAM label were used. The ladder extends to 20distinct alleles with particularly significant alleles at 8, 9, 23, 24,25, 26 and 27. The polymorphic region is based around a simpletetranucleotide repeat motif (AGAA)_(n) (SEQ ID NO: 38), where n is 8 to27.

Locus D8S1179

The primers used for this locus were labelled with TET. The ladderextends from alleles 7 to 19, based on 13 separate alleles. Significantalleles include 7, 15, 18 and 19. Different generalised structures wereobserved between the upper and lower molecular weight ends of theladder. In the lower molecular weight area, 161 to 177 base pairs, asimple repeat region based on the tetranucleotide TCTA exists. In thehigher weight region, 181 to 201 base pairs, a compound repeat regioncomposed of the tetranucleotide TCTR was found.

Locus HUMVWFA31/A

HEX labelled primers were used for this locus. The ladder covers allelesbetween 10 and 21, based on 12 alleles in total. Noteworthy alleles 10,11 and 12 are included. The polymorphic unit is generally composed of acompound repeat following the pattern (TCTR)_(n). For the 13 and 14alleles a non-consensus TCCA tetranucleotide at the 10th and 11threpeats was found.

Locus HUMFIBRA/FGA

This locus also employed HEX labelled primers. As mentioned above thisladder was constructed in two separate components. A low molecularweight and high molecular weight mix was used to produce the overallladder. The low molecular weight mix ranges from allele 16.1 to 34.2 andthe high molecular weight mix from allele 42.2 to 50.2.

The low MW mix includes significant alleles 16.1, 28, 30, 30.2, 31.2,32.2, 33.2 and 34.2. The high MW mix includes noteworthy alleles 42.2,43.2, 44.2, 45.2, 47.2, 48.2 and 50.2.

In general the HUMFIBRA/FGA alleles have a polymorphic unit based aroundthe compound repeat YYBY, with the alleles in the upper part of theweight range being more complex in structure than those in the lowerpart. Within the general framework, allele 16.1 has a T nucleotideaddition in the repeat region and allele 27 has a C to T transition inthe 19th repeat unit (CTTT to CCTT). The upper MW allele range includesa stutter peak which is 4 base pairs smaller than the 50.2 allele. Thisartifact corresponds to allele 49.2 which has not currently beendetermined.

Amelogenin

Primers for this locus were once again labelled with 6-FAM. The sequencedata revealed an X specific product of 105 base pairs and a Y specificproduct of 111 base pairs.

HUMTH01 allele sequences

13.3 (TCAT)₄ CAT (TCAT)₇ TCAT (SEQ ID NO: 4)

D21S11 alleles sequences

(SEQ ID NO: 19) 53 (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA(TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂TCCATA (TCTA)₆ TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 20) 54(TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₉ TCGTCT(SEQ ID NO: 21) 56 (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA(TCTA)₁₀ TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 22) 57(TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA  (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₈ TCGTCT(SEQ ID NO: 23) 59 (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂TCCATA (TCTA)₉ TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 24) 61(TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₀ TCGTCT(SEQ ID NO: 25) 63 (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂TCCATA (TCTA)₁₁ TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 26) 65(TCTA)₆ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₁ TCGTCT(SEQ ID NO: 27) 67 (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 28) 68(TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂TCCATA (TCTA)₁₁ TA TCTA TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 29) 70(TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TA TCTA TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 30) 72(TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂TCCATA (TCTA)₁₃ TA TCTA TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 31) 74(TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂TCCATA (TCTA)₁₄ TATCTA TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 32) 75(TCTA)₁₀ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TCGTCT(SEQ ID NO: 33) 77 (TCTA)₁₁ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TCGTCT (SEQ ID NO: 34) 79(TCTA)₁₁ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₃ TCGTCT(SEQ ID NO: 35) 81 (TCTA)₁₃ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TCGTCT

D18S51 allele sequences

8 (AGAA)₈ (SEQ ID NO: 36)

D8S1179 allele sequences

 7 (TCTA)₈ (SEQ ID NO: 5) 19 (TCTA)₂ TCTG (TCTA)₁₆ (SEQ ID NO: 6)

HUMVWAF31/A allele sequences

(SEQ ID NO: 1) 10 TCTA TCTG TCTA (TCTG)₄ (TCTA)₃ (SEQ ID NO: 2) 12TCTA (TCTG)₄ (TCTA)₇ (SEQ ID NO: 3) 13(TCTA)₂ (TCTG)₄ (TCTA)₃ TCCA (TCTA)₃(Note also that the allele has an atypical 3′ flanking sequence. Theusual sequence is TCCA TCTA T. In this allele the sequence is (TCCA)₂T.

HUMFIBRA(FGA) allele sequences

(SEQ ID NO: 7) 16.1 (TTTC)₃ TTTT TTCT (CTTT)₅ T (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₂(SEQ ID NO: 8) 27 (TTTC)₃ TTTT TTCT (CTTT)₁₃ CCTT (CTTT)₅ CTCC (TTCC)₂(SEQ ID NO: 9) 30 (TTTC)₃ TTTT TTCT (CTTT)₁₆ CCTT (CTTT)₅ CTCC (TTCC)₂(SEQ ID NO: 10) 31.2 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₅ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC(TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID NO: 11) 32.2(TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₆ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID NO: 12)33.2 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₇ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄(SEQ ID NO: 13) 42.2 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₈ (CTGT)₄ (CTTT)₁₃(CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID NO: 14) 43.2(TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₈ (CTGT)₅ (CTTT)₁₃ (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄(SEQ ID NO: 15) 44.2 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₁ (CTGT)₃ (CTTT)₁₄(CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID NO: 16) 45.2(TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₀ CTGT)₅ (CTTT)₁₃ (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄(SEQ ID NO: 17) 47.2 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₂ (CTGT)₅ (CTTT)₁₄(CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄ (SEQ ID NO: 18) 48.2(TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₄ (CTGT)₃ (CTTT)₁₄ (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄

(1) GENERAL INFORMATION:

(i) APPLICANT:

-   -   (A) NAME: Griffiths, Rebecca A. L.    -   (B) STREET: c/o The Forensic Science Service, Priory House,        Gooch St.    -   (C) CITY: Birmingham    -   (D) STATE: W Midlands    -   (E) COUNTRY: United Kingdom    -   (F) POSTAL CODE (ZIP): B5 6QQ    -   (A) NAME: Barber, Michael D.    -   (B) STREET: c/o The Forensic Science Service, Priory House,        Gooch St.    -   (C) CITY: Birmingham    -   (D) STATE: W Midlands    -   (E) COUNTRY: United Kingdom    -   (F) POSTAL CODE (ZIP): B5 6QQ    -   (A) NAME: Johnson, Peter E.    -   (B) STREET: c/o The Forensic Science Service, Priory House,        Gooch St.    -   (C) CITY: Birmingham    -   (D) STATE: W Midlands    -   (E) COUNTRY: United Kingdom    -   (F) POSTAL CODE (ZIP): B5 6QQ    -   (A) NAME: Gillbard, Sharon M.    -   (B) STREET: c/o The Forensic Science Service, Priory House,        Gooch St.    -   (C) CITY: Birmingham    -   (D) STATE: W Midlands    -   (E) COUNTRY: United Kingdom    -   (F) POSTAL CODE (ZIP): B5 6QQ    -   (A) NAME: Haywood, Marc D.    -   (B) STREET: c/o The Forensic Science Service, Priory House,        Gooch St.    -   (C) CITY: Birmingham    -   (D) STATE: W Midlands    -   (E) COUNTRY: United Kingdom    -   (F) POSTAL CODE (ZIP): B5 6QQ    -   (A) NAME: Smith, Carolyn D.    -   (B) STREET: c/o The Forensic Science Service, Priory House,        Gooch St.    -   (C) CITY: Birmingham    -   (D) STATE: W Midlands    -   (E) COUNTRY: United Kingdom    -   (F) POSTAL CODE (ZIP): B5 6QQ    -   (A) NAME: Arnold, Jennifer    -   (B) STREET: c/o The Forensic Science Service, Priory House,        Gooch St.    -   (C) CITY: Birmingham    -   (D) STATE: W Midlands    -   (E) COUNTRY: United Kingdom    -   (F) POSTAL CODE (ZIP): B5 6QQ    -   (A) NAME: Burke, Trudy    -   (B) STREET: c/o The Forensic Science Service, Priory House,        Gooch St.    -   (C) CITY: Birmingham    -   (D) STATE: W Midlands    -   (E) COUNTRY: United Kingdom    -   (F) POSTAL CODE (ZIP): B5 6QQ    -   (A) NAME: Urquhart, Andrew J.    -   (B) STREET: c/o The Forensic Science Service, Priory House,        Gooch St.    -   (C) CITY: Birmingham    -   (D) STATE: W Midlands    -   (E) COUNTRY: United Kingdom    -   (F) POSTAL CODE (ZIP): B5 6QQ    -   (A) NAME: Gill, Peter    -   (B) STREET: c/o The Forensic Science Service, Priory House,        Gooch St.    -   (C) CITY: Birmingham    -   (D) STATE: W Midlands    -   (E) COUNTRY: United Kingdom    -   (F) POSTAL CODE (ZIP): B5 6QQ

(ii) TITLE OF INVENTION: Improvements in and relating to forensicidentification

(iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 36

(iv) COMPUTER READABLE FORM:

-   -   (A) MEDIUM TYPE: Floppy disk    -   (B) COMPUTER: IBM PC compatible    -   (C) OPERATING SYSTEM: PC-DOS/MS-DOS    -   (D) SOFTWARE: PatentIn Release #1.0, Version #1.30 (EPO)

(vi) PRIOR APPLICATION DATA:

-   -   (A) APPLICATION NUMBER: GB 9713597.4    -   (B) FILING DATE: 28-JUN-1997

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 1:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 40 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 1:TCTATCTGTC TATCTGTCTG TCTGTCTGTC TATCTATCTA 40

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 2:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 48 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 2:TCTATCTGTC TGTCTGTCTG TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTA TCTATCTA 48

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 3:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 52 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 3:TCTATCTATC TGTCTGTCTG TCTGTCTATC TATCTATCCA TCTATCTATC TA 52

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 4:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 55 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 4:TCATTCATTC ATTCATCATT CATTCATTCA TTCATTCATT CATTCATTCG TTCAT 55

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 5:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 32 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 5:TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTA TCTATCTATC TA 32

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 6:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 76 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 6:TCTATCTATC TGTCTATCTA TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTA TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTA 60TCTATCTATC TATCTA 76

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 7:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 65 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 7:TTTCTTTCTT TCTTTTTTCT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT TCTTTCTTTC TTTCTCCTTC 60CTTCC 65

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 8:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 108 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 8:TTTCTTTCTT TCTTTTTTCT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT  60CTTTCTTTCT TTCCTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTCC TTCCTTCC 108

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 9:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 120 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 9:TTTCTTTCTT TCTTTTTTCT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT  60CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCCTTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT CCTTCCTTCC 120

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 10:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 126 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 10:TTTCTTTCTT TCTTTCTTTT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT  60TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTCCTTC CTTCCTTTCT TTCTTTCTCC TTCCTTCCTT 120CCTTCC 126

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 11:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 130 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 11:TTTCTTTCTT TCTTTCTTTT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT  60TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTC CTTCCTTCCT TTCTTTCTTT CTCCTTCCTT 120CCTTCCTTCC 130

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 12:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 134 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 12:TTTCTTTCTT TCTTTCTTTT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT  60TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTCCTTCCT TCCTTTCTTT CTTTCTCCTT 120CCTTCCTTCC TTCC 134

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 13:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 170 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 13:TTTCTTTCTT TCTTTCTTTT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTGTCT  60GTCTGTCTGT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT 120TTCTTCCTTC CTTCCTTCCT TTCTTTCTTT CTCCTTCCTT CCTTCCTTCC 170

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 14:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 174 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 14:TTTCTTTCTT TCTTTCTTTT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTGTCT  60GTCTGTCTGT CTGTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT 120TTCTTTCTTC CTTCCTTCCT TCCTTTCTTT CTTTCTCCTT CCTTCCTTCC TTCC 174

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 15:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 178 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 15:TTTCTTTCTT TCTTTCTTTT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT  60TTCTTTCTGT CTGTCTGTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT 120TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTCCT TCCTTCCTTT CTTTCTTTCT CCTTCCTTCC TTCCTTCC 178

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 16:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 182 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 16:TTTCTTTCTT TCTTTCTTTT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT  60TTCTGTCTGT CTGTCTGTCT GTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT 120TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTCCT TCCTTCCTTC CTTTCTTTCT TTCTCCTTCC TTCCTTCCTT 180 CC182

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 17:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 190 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 17:TTTCTTTCTT TCTTTCTTTT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT  60TTCTTTCTTT CTGTCTGTCT GTCTGTCTGT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT 120TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTC CTTCCTTCCT TTCTTTCTTT CTCCTTCCTT 180CCTTCCTTCC 190

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 18:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 194 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 18:TTTCTTTCTT TCTTTCTTTT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT  60TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT GTCTGTCTGT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT 120TTCTTTCTTT CTTTCTTTCT TTCTTTCTTC CTTCCTTCCT TCCTTTCTTT CTTTCTCCTT 180CCTTCCTTCC TTCC 194

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 19:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 113 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 19:TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTG TCTGTCTGTC TGTCTGTCTG TCTATCTATC TATATCTATC  60TATCTATCAT CTATCTATCC ATATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT CTATCTATCG TCT 113

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 20:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 115 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 20:TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTA TCTGTCTGTC TGTCTGTCTG TCTGTCTATC TATCTATCAT  60CTATCTATCC ATATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT CTATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT CGTCT 115

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 21:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 119 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 21:TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTA TCTGTCTGTC TGTCTGTCTG TCTGTCTATC TATCTATCAT  60CTATCTATCC ATATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT CTATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT CTATCGTCT 119

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 22:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 121 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 22:TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTG TCTGTCTGTC TGTCTGTCTG TCTATCTATC TATATCTATC  60TATCTATCAT CTATCTATCC ATATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT CTATCTATCT ATCTATCGTC 120 T121

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 23:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 125 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 23:TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTA TCTGTCTGTC TGTCTGTCTG TCTATCTATC TATATCTATC  60TATCTATCAT CTATCTATCC ATATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT CTATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT 120CGTCT 125

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 24:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 129 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 24:TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTG TCTGTCTGTC TGTCTGTCTG TCTATCTATC TATATCTATC  60TATCTATCAT CTATCTATCC ATATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT CTATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT 120CTATCGTCT 129

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 25:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 133 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 25:TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTG TCTGTCTGTC TGTCTGTCTG TCTATCTATC TATATCTATC  60TATCTATCAT CTATCTATCC ATATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT CTATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT 120CTATCTATCG TCT 133

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 26:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 137 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 26:TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTA TCTATCTGTC TGTCTGTCTG TCTGTCTATC TATCTATATC  60TATCTATCTA TCATCTATCT ATCCATATCT ATCTATCTAT CTATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT 120CTATCTATCT ATCGTCT 137

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 27:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 141 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 27:TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTA TCTGTCTGTC TGTCTGTCTG TCTGTCTATC TATCTATATC  60TATCTATCTA TCATCTATCT ATCCATATCT ATCTATCTAT CTATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT 120CTATCTATCT ATCTATCGTC T 141

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 28:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 143 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 28:TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTA TCTGTCTGTC TGTCTGTCTG TCTGTCTATC TATCTATATC  60TATCTATCTA TCATCTATCT ATCCATATCT ATCTATCTAT CTATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT 120CTATCTATCT ATATCTATCG TCT 143

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 29:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 147 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 29:TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTA TCTGTCTGTC TGTCTGTCTG TCTGTCTATC TATCTATATC  60TATCTATCTA TCATCTATCT ATCCATATCT ATCTATCTAT CTATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT 120CTATCTATCT ATCTATATCT ATCGTCT 147

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 30:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 151 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 30:TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTA TCTGTCTGTC TGTCTGTCTG TCTGTCTATC TATCTATATC  60TATCTATCTA TCATCTATCT ATCCATATCT ATCTATCTAT CTATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT 120CTATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT ATCTATCGTC T 151

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 31:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 155 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 31:TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTA TCTGTCTGTC TGTCTGTCTG TCTGTCTATC TATCTATATC  60TATCTATCTA TCATCTATCT ATCCATATCT ATCTATCTAT CTATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT 120CTATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT CTATATCTAT CGTCT 155

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 32:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 157 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 32:TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTA TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTA TCTGTCTGTC TGTCTGTCTG  60TCTATCTATC TATATCTATC TATCTATCAT CTATCTATCC ATATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT 120CTATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT CTATCTATCT ATCGTCT 157

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 33:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 161 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 33:TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTA TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTA TCTATCTGTC TGTCTGTCTG  60TCTGTCTATC TATCTATATC TATCTATCTA TCATCTATCT ATCCATATCT ATCTATCTAT 120CTATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT CTATCTATCT ATCTATCGTC T 161

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 34:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 165 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 34:TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTA TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTA TCTATCTGTC TGTCTGTCTG  60TCTGTCTATC TATCTATATC TATCTATCTA TCATCTATCT ATCCATATCT ATCTATCTAT 120CTATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT CTATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT CGTCT 165

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 35:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 169 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 35:TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTA TCTATCTATC TATCTATCTA TCTATCTATC TATCTGTCTG  60TCTGTCTGTC TGTCTATCTA TCTATATCTA TCTATCTATC ATCTATCTAT CCATATCTAT 120CTATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT CTATCTATCT ATCTATCTAT CTATCGTCT 169

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 36:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

-   -   (A) LENGTH: 32 base pairs    -   (B) TYPE: nucleic acid    -   (C) STRANDEDNESS: single    -   (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)

(iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO

(iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

-   -   (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens    -   (I) ORGANELLE: Mitochondrion

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 36:AGAAAGAAAG AAAGAAAGAA AGAAAGAAAG AA 32

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. An allelic ladder mixture comprising one or more of the following allelic ladders: i) an allelic ladder for locus HUMVWFA31/A comprising one or more alleles with a short tandem repeat sequence consisting of sequences: TCTA TCTG TCTA (TCTG)₄ (TCTA)₃-; SEQ ID NO 1 or TCTA (TCTG)₄ (TCTA)₇-; SEQ ID NO 2 or (TCTA)₂ (TCTG)₄ (TCTA)₃ TCCA  SEQ ID NO 3 (TCTA)₃-;

ii) an allelic ladder for locus HUMTHO1 comprising an allele with a short tandem repeat sequence consisting of sequence: (TCAT)₄ CAT (TCAT)₇ TCGT TCAT-; SEQ ID NO 4

iii) an allelic ladder for locus D8S1179 comprising an allele with a short tandem repeat sequence consisting of sequence: (TCTA)₂ TCTG(TCTA)₁₆-; SEQ ID NO 6

iv) an allelic ladder for locus HUMFIBRA/FGA comprising one or more alleles with a short tandem repeat sequence consisting of sequences: SEQ ID NO 7 (TTTC)₃ TTTT TTCT (CTTT)₅ T (CTTT)₃ CTCC  (TTCC)₂-; or SEQ ID NO 8 (TTTC)₃ TTTT TTCT (CTTT)₁₃ CCTT (CTTT)₅ CTCC (TTCC)₂-; or SEQ ID NO 9 (TTTC)₃ TTTT TTCT (CTTT)₁₆ CCTT (CTTT)₅ CTCC (TTCC)₂-; or SEQ ID NO 10 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₅ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄-; or SEQ ID NO 11 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₆ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄-; or SEQ ID NO 12 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₇ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄-; or SEQ ID NO 13 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₈ (CTGT)₄ (CTTT)₁₃ (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄-; or SEQ ID NO 14 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₈ (CTGT)₅ (CTTT)₁₃ (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄-; or SEQ ID NO 15 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₁ (CTGT)₃ (CTTT)₁₄ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄-; or SEQ ID NO 16 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₀ (CTGT)₅ (CTTT)₁₃ (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄-; or SEQ ID NO 17 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₂ (CTGT)₅ (CTTT)₁₄ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄-; or SEQ ID NO 18 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₄ (CTGT)₃ (CTTT)₁₄ (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄-;

v) an allelic ladder for locus D21S11 comprising one or more alleles with a short tandem repeat sequence consisting of sequences: SEQ ID NO 19 (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA(TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₆ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 20 (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₉ TCGTCT- or SEQ ID NO 21 (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₀ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 22 (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₈ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 23 (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA  (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₉ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 24 (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA  (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₀ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 25 (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA  (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₁ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 26 (TCTA)₆ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA  (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₁ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 27 (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA  (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 28 (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA  (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₁ TA TCTA TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 29 (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA  (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TA TCTA TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 30 (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA  (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₃ TA TCTA TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 31 (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA  (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₄ TATCTA TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 32 (TCTA)₁₀ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA  (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 33 (TCTA)₁₁ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA  (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 34 (TCTA)₁₁ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA  (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₃ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 35 (TCTA)₁₃ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA  (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TCGTCT-;

vi) an allelic ladder for locus D18S51 comprising an allele with a short tandem repeat sequence consisting of sequence: (AGAA)₈-. SEQ ID NO 36


2. An allelic ladder mixture according to claim 1 in which the mixture includes allelic ladders for a plurality of loci selected from HUMVWFA31/A, HUMTHO1, D8S1179, HUMFIBRA/FGA, D21S11 and D18S51.
 3. An allelic ladder mixture according to claim 1 the mixture including allelic ladders for at least four loci.
 4. An allelic ladder mixture according to claim 1 the mixture includes an amelogenin sex test.
 5. An allelic ladder mixture according to claim 1 in which the allelic ladders in the mixture each include at least 7 alleles.
 6. An allelic ladder mixture according to claim 1 in which the ladders, if present in the mixture, are provided such that: the HUMVWFA31/A allelic ladder includes at least 9 alleles; the HUMTHO1 allelic ladder includes at least 7; the D8S1179 allelic ladder includes at least 9 alleles; the HUMFIBRA/FGA allelic ladder includes at least 18 alleles or is present as HUMFIBRA/F GA/LW and HUMFIBRA/FGA/HW with the HUMFIBRA/FGA/LW ladder including at least 16 alleles, the HUMFIBRA/FGA/HW ladder including at least 6 alleles; the D21S11 allelic ladder includes at least 14 alleles; and the D18S51 ladder includes at least 15 alleles.
 7. An allelic ladder mixture according to claim 1 in which one or more of the allelic ladders in the mixture comprises at least 4 pairs of alleles 4 base pairs from each other.
 8. An allelic ladder mixture according to claim 1 in which the ladders, if present in the mixture, are provided such that: the HUMVWFA31/A allelic ladder includes at least 7 pairs of alleles 4 base pairs from each other; the HUMTHO1 allelic ladder includes at least 5 pairs of alleles 4 base pairs from each other; the D8S1179 allelic ladder includes at least 8 pairs of alleles 4 base pairs from each other; the HUMFIBRA/FGA allelic ladder includes at least 17 pairs of alleles 4 base pairs from each other; the D21S11 allelic ladder includes at least 3 pairs of alleles 4 base pairs from each other; and the D18S51 ladder includes at least 13 pairs of alleles 4 base pairs from each other.
 9. An allelic ladder mixture according to claim 8 in which the D21S11 allelic ladder includes at least 8 pairs of alleles 8 base pairs from each other.
 10. An allelic ladder mixture according to claim 1 in which the ladders, if present, are provided such that the HUMVWFA31/A ladder includes alleles ranging from 130 base pairs upwards and/or from 166 base pairs downwards; the HUMTHO1 ladder includes alleles ranging from 150 base pairs upwards and/or 189 base pairs downwards; the D8S1179 ladder includes alleles ranging from 157 base pairs upwards and/or 201 base pairs downwards; the HUMFIBRA/FGA ladder includes alleles ranging from 173 base pairs upwards and/or 298 base pairs downwards; the D21S11 ladder includes alleles ranging from 203 base pairs upwards and/or 255 base pairs downwards; and the D18S51 ladder includes alleles ranging from 270 base pairs upwards and/or 326 downwards.
 11. An allelic ladder mixture comprising an allelic ladder for one or more of the following loci, with lowest and highest allele designation as follows: Lowest Highest Locus Designation Designation a) HUMVWFA31/A 10 21 b) HUMTH01 4 13.3 c) D8S1179 7 19 d) HUMFIBRA/FGA 16.1 50.2 e) D21S11 53 81 f) D18S51 8 27


12. An allelic ladder mixture according to claim 11 in which the loci ladders have both the upper and lower limits specified.
 13. An allelic ladder mixture according to claim 11 in which the mixture includes allelic ladders for loci HUMVWFA31/A, HUMTHO1, D8S1179, HUMFIBRA/F GA, D21S11 and D18S51.
 14. A method of analysing one or more samples comprising: a) obtaining genomic DNA from the sample; b) amplifying the DNA; c) obtaining an indication of one or more of the constituent parts of the sample; and comparing the indications with an allelic ladder mixture comprising one or more of the following allelic ladders: i) an allelic ladder for locus HUMVWFA31/A comprising one or more alleles with a short tandem repeat sequence consisting of sequences: SEQ ID NO 1 TCTA TCTG TCTA (TCTG)₄ (TCTA)₃-; or SEQ ID NO 2 TCTA (TCTG)₄ (TCTA)₇-; or SEQ ID NO 3 (TCTA)₂ (TCTG)₄ (TCTA)₃ TCCA (TCTA)₃-

ii) an allelic ladder for locus HUMTHO1 comprising an allele with a short tandem repeat sequence consisting of sequence: (TCAT)₄ CAT (TCAT)₇ TCGT TCAT-; SEQ ID NO 4

iii) an allelic ladder for locus D8S1179 comprising an allele with a short tandem repeat sequence consisting of sequence: (TCTA)₂ TCTG (TCTA)₁₆-; SEQ ID NO 6

iv) an allelic ladder for locus HUMFIBRA/FGA comprising one or more alleles with a short tandem repeat sequence consisting of the sequences: SEQ ID NO 7 (TTTC)₃ TTTT TTCT (CTTT)₅ T (CTTT)₃ CTCC  (TTCC)₂-; or SEQ ID NO 8 (TTTC)₃ TTTT TTCT (CTTT)₁₃ CCTT (CTTT)₅ CTCC  (TTCC)₂-; or SEQ ID NO 9 (TTTC)₃ TTTT TTCT (CTTT)₁₆ CCTT (CTTT)₅ CTCC  (TTCC)₂-; or SEQ ID NO 10 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₅ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC  (TTCC)₄-; or SEQ ID NO 11 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₆ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC  (TTCC)₄-; or SEQ ID NO 12 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₇ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC  (TTCC)₄-; or SEQ ID NO 13 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₈ (CTGT)₄ (CTTT)₁₃  (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄-; or SEQ ID NO 14 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₈ (CTGT)₅ (CTTT)₁₃  (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄-; or SEQ ID NO 15 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₁ (CTGT)₃ (CTTT)₁₄  (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄-; or SEQ ID NO 16 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₀ (CTGT)₅ (CTTT)₁₃  (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄-; or SEQ ID NO 17 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₂ (CTGT)₅ (CTTT)₁₄  (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄-; or SEQ ID NO 18 (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₄ (CTGT)₃ (CTTT)₁₄  (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄-;

v) an allelic ladder for locus D21S11 comprising one or more alleles with a short tandem repeat sequence consisting of sequences: SEQ ID NO 19 (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA(TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₆ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 20 (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₉ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 21 (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₀ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 22 (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₈ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 23 (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₉ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 24 (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₀ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 25 (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₁ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 26 (TCTA)₆ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₁ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 27 (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 28 (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₁ TA TCTA TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 29 (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TA TCTA TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 30 (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₃ TA TCTA TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 31 (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₄ TATCTA TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 32 (TCTA)₁₀ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 33 (TCTA)₁₁ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 34 (TCTA)₁₁ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₃ TCGTCT-; or SEQ ID NO 35 (TCTA)₁₃ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TCGTCT-;

vi) an allelic ladder for locus D18S51 comprising an allele with a short tandem repeat sequence consisting of sequence: (AGAA)₈-. SEQ ID NO 36


15. A method according to claim 14 in which the DNA sample is one or more of a sample taken from the scene of a crime, a sample associated with the scene of a crime, a sample obtained from a suspect, a sample obtained from a human under consideration or a reference sample.
 16. A method according to claim 14 in which the sample is amplified using a polymerase chain reaction and primers for one or more of loci HUMVWFA31/A, HUMTHO1, D8S1179, HUMFIBRA/FGA, D21S11 or D18S51 are employed.
 17. One or more alleles comprising or consisting of sequences TCTA TCTG TCTA (TCTG)₄ (TCTA)₃; TCTA (TCTG)₄ (TCTA)₇; (TCTA)₂ (TCTG)₄ (TCTA)₃, TCCA (TCTA)₃; (TCAT)₄ CAT (TCAT)₇ TCGT TCAT; (TCTA)₈; (TCTA)₂ TCTG (TCTA)₁₆; (TTTC)₃ TTTT TTCT (CTTT)₅ T (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₂; (TTTC)₃ TTTT TTCT (CTTT)₁₃ CCTT (CTTT)₅ CTCC (TTCC)₂; (TTTC)₃ TTTT TTCT (CTTT)₁₆ CCTT (CTTT)₅ CTCC (TTCC)₂; (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₅ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄; (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₆ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄; (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)17 (CTTC)3 (CTTT)3 CTCC (TTCC)₄; (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₈ (CTGT)₄ (CTTT)₁₃ (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄; (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₈ (CTGT)₅ (CTTT)₁₃ (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄; (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₁ (CTGT)₃ (CTTT)₁₄ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄; (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₀ (CTGT)₅ (CTTT)₁₃ (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄; (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₂ (CTGT)₅ (CTTT)₁₄ (CTTC)₃ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄; (TTTC)₄ TTTT TT (CTTT)₁₄ (CTGT)₃ (CTTT)₁₄ (CTTC)₄ (CTTT)₃ CTCC (TTCC)₄; (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₆ TCGTCT; (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₉ TCGTCT; (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₀ TCGTCT; (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₈ TCGTCT; (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₉ TCGTCT; (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₀ TCGTCT; (TCTA)₄ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₁ TCGTCT; (TCTA)₆ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₁ TCGTCT; (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TCGTCT; (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₁ TA TCTA TCGTCT; (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TA TCTA TCGTCT; (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₃ TA TCTA TCGTCT; (TCTA)₅ (TCTG)₆ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₄ TATCTA TCGTCT; (TCTA)₁₀ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TCGTCT; (TCTA)₁₁ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TCGTCT; (TCTA)₁₁ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₃ TCGTCT; (TCTA)₁₃ (TCTG)₅ (TCTA)₃ TA (TCTA)₃ TCA (TCTA)₂ TCCATA (TCTA)₁₂ TCGTCT; or (AGAA)₈; or at least 75% homologous thereto.
 18. One or more alleles according to claim 16 in which the alleles are provided purified from alleles other than those of HUMVWFA31/A, HUMTHO1, D8S1179, HUMFIBRA/FGA, D21S11, D18S51 or AMG loci.
 19. The use of an allelic ladder according to claim 1 for comparison with a DNA analysis result.
 20. The use of claim 19, wherein the analysis is a DNA profile of a sample and the profile is based on analysis of one or more of loci HUMVWFA31/A, HUMTHO1, D9S1179, HUMFIBRA/FGA, D21S11, D18S51 or AMG. 